Chapter 71 Rumors and gossip fly everywhere! Commander Qin displays his prowess on the training field!

"Have you heard? The investigation team has arrived, and they're in the political commissar's office! They say they're going to investigate Commander Qin."

"What are you investigating? It's just that his brother-in-law is making baseless accusations! Don't we know Commander Qin's character?"

"That's true, but these are people sent down from above after all. Who knows... they might actually find out something..."

In the family compound, several military wives who were hanging clothes to dry whispered among themselves in hushed tones.

Although Jiang Wu's maternity wear designs caused quite a stir in the residential compound, temporarily diverting everyone's attention, the arrival of the investigation team was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples. Rumors, like invisible dust, began to spread in the air.

Qin Lie was called into the office. Two investigators sat facing each other, one to the south and one to the north. One was asking questions, his expression serious; the other was taking notes, his head never looking up. The atmosphere was so heavy it seemed like it could drip water.

"Comrade Qin Lie, regarding the anonymous telegram's mention of you abusing your power to protect your relative Jiang Qiang, please provide a detailed explanation." The investigator in charge of the questioning pushed up his black-rimmed glasses, his gaze sharp as a knife.

Qin Lie straightened his back and handed over the prepared statement, his voice loud and clear, neither humble nor arrogant: "Report! Regarding Jiang Qiang, he is my brother-in-law, but not a criminal. During his time on the island, he was lazy, disobedient, and even made inappropriate advances towards my pregnant wife and my mother. As his husband and son, it was perfectly reasonable for me to discipline him. All the military wives in the entire family compound can testify to this!"

"As for the claim of covering up, that's utter nonsense. I gave him a chance to participate in the logistics department's recruitment assessment and earn a living on his own merits, but he gave it up himself. I expelled him from the island and sent him three hundred yuan, severing all ties with his wife, Jiang Wu. The letter and remittance receipt are here." He placed the photocopies of the letter and the post office remittance slip that he had prepared beforehand on the table.

The investigator picked up the evidence and examined it carefully, his expression unchanged. He then asked, "So, what is your explanation for the 'chaotic private life and serious problems with conduct' mentioned in the telegram?"

The air seemed to freeze at the question. Qin Lie felt a surge of blood rush to his head. This was the greatest insult to him! "Report! I, Qin Lie, have served in the army for fifteen years, rising from a common soldier to a regimental commander, dedicating myself wholeheartedly to the military and the Party! My wife, Jiang Wu, and I are a legally registered couple, introduced by the organization! How can you say I have a chaotic private life?!"

"This is the most vicious slander against me personally and my family! I request the organization to thoroughly investigate this matter, clear my name, and give my wife justice!" His voice was firm and resounding, echoing in the small office.

However, the investigator simply said indifferently, "You seem very agitated, Comrade Qin Lie. We will verify this. Please cooperate with our work until the investigation results are available."

For the entire morning, Qin Lie endured this suffocating interrogation. When he left the office building, he felt like he had fought a fierce battle, completely drenched in sweat. He knew that this kind of investigation was cumbersome and time-consuming. During this period, he would forever be labeled a "cadre under investigation," and all evaluations and promotions would be frozen.

This is more upsetting for him than giving him a direct punishment.

In the days that followed, Qin Lie continued leading troops in training as usual, but he clearly felt some strange looks. Some officers who used to call him brother now avoided him. The rumors about him in the army became increasingly outrageous. Some said he embezzled public funds, some said he had a mistress, and some even said that the child in Jiang Wu's belly wasn't his at all!

These words were like soft knives, cutting Qin Lie's heart until it bled. He was so angry that he punched the wall, drawing blood from the back of his hand.

Jiang Wu saw it all and felt a pang of pain in her heart. That night, as she treated Qin Lie's wounds, looking at his bloodshot eyes and furrowed brows, she whispered, "Qin Lie, do you remember what you said? A soldier's worth is proven by his strength and achievements."

Qin Lie was taken aback.

Jiang Wu raised her head and looked at him intently: "What others say is not important. What matters is what you do. The more depressed you are, the more smug they will be. Only when you stand higher than before and achieve greater success than before can you shut up all those who doubt you."

Her words struck Qin Lie like a thunderbolt, jolting him from his daze. Yes! He was a soldier! A soldier's honor must be earned on the battlefield! What kind of man wallows in self-pity here!

"Wife, I understand!" Qin Lie grasped her hand in return, his dejection vanishing and his fighting spirit rekindled.

Just then, the military region issued an order, and a large-scale joint military exercise codenamed "Sea Shark" was about to begin. This was an unprecedented large-scale live-fire exercise, with the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force all participating. Qin Lie's regiment was tasked with the most arduous main assault mission: the amphibious landing.

Everyone knew this was a tough nut to crack, but also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Whoever performed exceptionally well in the exercise would become an overnight sensation.

Qin Lie volunteered and signed a pledge. He channeled all his frustration and anger into training. He lived and ate on the training ground, working day and night with his troops to study tactics and repeatedly rehearse them. Taking into account the island's terrain, he boldly proposed a battle plan of "feigning a frontal attack, with the main force flanking and attacking from the center." This plan was extremely risky; if the flanking maneuver failed, the entire force would be put on the defensive.

Many people were not optimistic, feeling that he was gambling with his future.

On the day of the exercise, the weather turned against them; thick fog rolled in at sea, and the waves were larger than expected. This posed enormous difficulties for the landing craft flanking the enemy. The communication channels were filled with noise as various units reported their situations, and the command post was in complete chaos.

Just when everyone thought Qin Lie's plan was about to fail, Qin Lie remained unusually calm. Relying on his familiarity with this sea area and his years of experience dealing with wind and waves, he personally took command of the forward command vessel, constantly correcting the course and calmly directing operations.

"Attention all units! Wind direction southeast, waves three meters high! Correct course to left by fifteen degrees! Maintain radio silence! All boats, maintain distance!" His voice, transmitted through the radio waves, reached the ears of every soldier, like a stabilizing force, calming everyone's hearts.

Under the cover of thick fog, his infiltration troops, like a sharp dagger, bypassed the "enemy's" frontal defenses undetected and successfully landed on the shore from an unexpected cliff.

When Qin Lie and his troops appeared at the "enemy" command post like divine soldiers descending from the sky, the exercise commander-in-chief stood up from his chair, unable to believe his eyes.

The "Sea Shark" exercise ended ahead of schedule with a great victory for Qin Lie's troops.

At the debriefing meeting after the exercise, the military region leaders personally commended Qin Lie by name.

"Comrade Qin Lie demonstrated outstanding command skills and excellent military qualities in this exercise! He was courageous and fearless in the face of difficulties, and his operational plans were bold, innovative, and surprisingly effective! He is a role model for all of us commanders to learn from!"

Thunderous applause resounded throughout the hall. Those who had once looked at him with strange eyes now showed expressions of admiration and respect.

A few days later, an official document was issued to the troops.

[Decision regarding awarding Comrade Qin Lie a second-class merit for his outstanding performance in the "Sea Shark" military exercise, and promoting him to the rank of deputy division chief of staff...]

Meanwhile, another document was quietly issued.

[Investigation Results Regarding the Anonymous Whistleblower Letter: The investigation revealed that the allegations were entirely fabricated and malicious slander by the whistleblower, Jiang Qiang, driven by personal grudges. The organization has decided to withdraw the investigation against Comrade Qin Lie and to pursue legal action against the rumor-monger, Jiang Qiang, in accordance with the law…]

Double happiness!

Qin Lie carried the two documents and ran all the way home from the office building. Like a child, he rushed into the yard, picked up Jiang Wu who was watering the flowers, and spun her around several times.

"Wife! We won! We won!" He was so excited that he was incoherent, his eyes red and swollen.

Jiang Wu was a little dizzy from being spun around, but she laughed more happily than ever. She wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a big kiss on his stubble-covered face. "I knew it! My man is the best!"

The news spread like wildfire throughout the entire residential compound.

"My God! Commander Qin... no, he's Chief of Staff Qin now! He's actually earned a second-class merit and been promoted!"

"I knew it! Chief of Staff Qin was framed! Now look what happened, not only is he safe, but he's actually turned misfortune into a blessing!"

"Jiang Wu is so lucky! Not only is her husband unharmed, but he's also been promoted to such a high rank! From now on, she'll be the division commander's wife!"

Envy, jealousy, admiration... all sorts of voices rang out in the family compound.

In the crowd, a young woman in a floral shirt clenched her fists tightly, listening to the whispers around her. Her nails dug into her flesh from the force. She stared at the couple embracing in the Qin family courtyard, her eyes burning with jealousy.

This woman was Wen Xue, a dancer in the cultural troupe. She always considered herself the most beautiful and talented woman in the family compound, and had once harbored feelings for the young and promising Qin Lie. But Qin Lie married Jiang Wu, a country woman she looked down upon. Now, this country woman not only has Qin Lie's heart firmly in her grasp, but is also about to become the high and mighty wife of a division commander!

Why?! Why does Jiang Wu get all the good things by herself?!

A hint of resentment flashed across Wen Xue's face. She turned around and walked quickly towards the other end of the family compound.

The person living there was Deputy Regiment Commander Li, who had just retired from his position as deputy regimental commander and had always been at odds with Qin Lie.

ps:

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